Mobile heat exchanger and system for providing a skating rink provided with such a heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a mobile heat exchanger, comprising: at least one assembly of at least two generally rigid pipes for transport of a first medium, and a coupling element which interconnects the two pipes, and feed means and discharge means connected to the assembly for feeding and discharging of the first medium, respectively, the first medium being adapted for heating or cooling of a second medium surrounding the assembly. The invention also relates to an assembly for use in such a mobile heat exchanger. De invention furthermore relates to a system for providing a skating rink having such a mobile heat exchanger.

The invention relates to a mobile heat exchanger, comprising: at leastone assembly of at least two generally rigid pipes for transport of afirst medium, and a coupling element which interconnects the two pipes,and feed means and discharge means connected to the assembly for feedingand discharging of the first medium, respectively, the first mediumbeing adapted for heating or cooling of a second medium surrounding theassembly. The invention also relates to an assembly for use in such amobile heat exchanger. De invention furthermore relates to a system forproviding a skating rink having such a mobile heat exchanger.

The mobile heat exchanger mentioned in the preamble is known in itself,and is used in systems for forming a skating rink. By transporting acoolant through the pipes of the heat exchanger, water surrounding theassembly is frozen while the actual skating surface is formed. Deskating rinks can be constructed at diverse locations and under varyingconditions but are generally only temporarily installed at one location.The known heat exchanger has as an important disadvantage that uponinstallation and dismantling, the components making up the heatexchanger have to separately assembled or disengaged, respectively. Thismakes the construction and dismantling of a system provided with such aknown heat exchanger relatively laborious and therefore relativelytime-consuming and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved heatexchanger, avoiding the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Hereto a heat exchanger is provided according to the invention of thetype mentioned in the pre-amble, characterised in that the couplingelement can pivot, the pipes being connected in such a way to thepivoting coupling element that the pipes can be hinged with respect toone another between an active operating position in which the assemblyhas a relatively extended configuration and a non-operative transportposition wherein the assembly has a relatively compact configuration. Byexecuting the assembly in a pivoting manner between an operativeposition and a transport or storage position the relatively complexactions relating to assembly and dismantling, discussed above, are nolonger required. A change in the configuration only of the assemblysuffices for changing the transport configuration into the operativeconfiguration, and vice versa. Assembling and dismantling of the mobileheat exchanger in accordance with the present invention, therefore isrelatively simple in view of which the heat exchanger can be assembledand dismantled relatively rapidly and cheaply. After use, the heatexchanger can be transformed into its relatively compact transportposition and can be transported as a single compact unit. In the compacttransport position, the assembly can be doubled over or folded in azig-zag manner in case the assembly comprises more than two pipes. It ishowever as possible to in fact roll up the assembly around a rotatingframe, such as a reel.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling element is at least partlyformed by a tubular member. Particularly in case the pipes are tubularas well, use of a tubular body is advantageous. In that case the tubularbody is congruent with the pipes such that the coupling element is not,or barely, provided with projecting parts, whereas the throughflow ofthe first medium through the assembly is not, or at least hardly,restricted. In this manner a relatively smooth assembly is providedwhich can be transformed easily between an operative position and atransport position.

In another preferred embodiment the joint member is of at leastpartially elastic, or at any rate flexible, construction. By making thejoint member flexible it is relatively easy to transform the extendedconfiguration of the assembly into the compact configuration of theassembly and vice versa. In a particular preferred embodiment, the jointmember is made of rubber, in particular ethylene propylene diene monomer(EPDM). EPDM is a synthetic rubber that usually is very suitable for useas a joint member since EPDM is relatively strong, durable andpermanently elastic. Moreover, EPDM can be manipulated at relatively lowtemperatures (down to about −40° C.). In addition, EPDM has a relativelyhigh chemical resistance and a relatively high elongation at break ofapproximately 400%.

Preferably, the longitudinal pipes are connected to the joint membersome distance apart. Positioning the pipes some distance apart andconnecting to the joint member in this way usually makes it easier forthe assembly to swing, since there will be no friction between thesuccessive longitudinal pipes during swinging of the assembly. In aparticular preferred embodiment, an external diameter of each pipe issmaller than half of the spacing between the pipes. By allowing thespacing between the pipes to be at least twice the external diameter,the extent to which the assembly can be swung will be made even moreflexible. Moreover, in this way it will be possible in a relativelysimple manner to fold up the assembly completely into the relativelycompact transport position.

Preferably, the joint member is provided with at least one mechanicaljoint. The mechanical joint can be of very diverse types. Preferably,the joint member is also provided with locking means for locking thejoint in the use position and/or in the transport position. The jointmember is also preferably provided with a valve closure or other similarclosure so that when the pipes are swung with respect to one another thefirst medium is retained in the pipes concerned. In this way loss of thefirst medium contained in the pipes can be prevented or at leastcounteracted.

In a preferred embodiment the assembly is provided with a number n ofpipes and a number (n−1) of joint members for connecting the n pipes toone another, where n is greater than two. The assembly is thus notrestricted to two pipes but can be provided with several pipes, as aresult of which the assembly can acquire a relatively long length.

In another preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises a numberof interconnected assemblies which are oriented at least generally in aparallel orientation with respect to one another. In this manner arelatively wide unit of assemblies can be achieved whereby relativelylarge heat exchanging surfaces can be provided. In a particularembodiment, the assemblies are held a distance apart by at least onespacer. In this way an ordered unit of the assemblies is obtained withwhich the surface area/volume ratio has at least essentially alreadybeen determined in advance. In one embodiment, the spacer and the jointmember are joined to one another and in particular are integrated withone another.

Preferably, the pipes are made of metal, in particular aluminium. Metal,in particular aluminium, has the property of conducting heatparticularly well. Thus, by using pipes made of aluminium in combinationwith joint members that have the same thermal conductivity, such asaluminium joint members, uniform heat exchange can take place betweenthe first medium and the second medium. Moreover, pipes made of metalare relatively durable, strong and inexpensive. In addition to theabovementioned advantages, aluminium also has the advantage that thismaterial has a relatively low density, as a result of which therelatively lightweight assembly can be transformed relatively easilyfrom the use position into the transport position and vice versa.

In another preferred embodiment, the pipes are connected in amedium-tight manner by the coupling element both in the operativeconfiguration and the transport configuration. As was described above,such a medium tight connection can be achieved by use of a flexible, inparticular elastic coupling element.

The invention furthermore relates to an assembly for use in such amobile heat exchanger.

The invention relates as well to a system for a system for creating anice rink comprising such a mobile heat exchanger and a cooling unitconnected to the assembly for cooling the first medium. The cooling unitcan be of very diverse types, but preferably must make efficient use ofspace, be relatively quiet and have a low energy consumption. Preferablythe system comprises a housing for water that at least partly surroundsthe system. The housing will generally be constructed from asubstructure below the assembly and upstanding walls connected to thesubstructure, the housing being impermeable for water irrespective ofits temperature.

In a preferred embodiment the first medium is glycol. Glycol is usuallyvery suitable as a coolant and is cooled by the cooling unit to atemperature of between approximately −12° C. to approximately −25° C.before the (liquid) glycol is fed through the assembly.

In another preferred embodiment, the discharge means are coupled to thefeed means for recirculation of the first medium. In this way a fullyclosed system is provided which is generally advantageous.

The invention will be explained with reference to non-limitingillustrative embodiments shown in the following figures. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of part of a heat exchanger according to theinvention in an extended use position,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the heat exchanger according to FIG. 1 in acompact transport position,

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the heat exchanger according to FIG. 1 inanother compact transport position,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of part of an assembly according to theinvention,

FIG. 5 shows a side view of part of another assembly according to theinvention, and

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a system for creating an ice rink inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 1 shows a side view of part of heat exchanger 1 according to theinvention in an extended use position. The part shown comprises severalassemblies 2 of pipes 3 for a first medium that are connected togetherparallel to one another in the extension of one another by means ofseparate flexible hoses 4. Now only a single assembly 2 is shown. Theassemblies 2 are coupled to one another by means of a collector 5 at oneend and several transverse connectors 6 at the other end. The assemblies2 are held a constant distance apart by means of several spacers 7fitted around the assemblies 2. The heat exchanger 1, or at least partthereof, is now shown in a position ready for use, in which the firstmedium can be fed through the assemblies 2 and with which the surfacearea/volume ratio of the assemblies 2 is maximised.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the heat exchanger 1 according to FIG. 1 ina compact transport position. After the heat exchanger 1 has been usedit no longer has to be (completely) disassembled, in contrast to theheat exchangers known from the state of the art. The flexible hoses 4connecting pipes 3 now act as an element that allows swinging, as aresult of which disassembly of the pipes 3 is no longer necessarybecause the extended position according to FIG. 1 can be transformedinto a relatively compact transport position. The pipes 3 of theassemblies 2 are folded up in a zig-zag manner, as a result of which acompact construction is produced that is ready for storage and/ortransport. With this arrangement the assemblies 2 can remain connectedto one another by the collector 5 and the transverse connectors 6.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of part of a heat exchanger 1 according to FIG.1 in another compact transport position. In contrast to the positionshown in FIG. 2, the assemblies 2 have now been uncoupled from oneanother by removing the collector 5, the transverse connectors 6 and thespacers 7. Each assembly 2 is now wound up around a rotary beam 7′,which beam 7′ is supported by a supporting structure 8. As shown in thepresent illustrative embodiment, if each assembly 2 were to compriseseveral pipes 3 it would be conceivable to fit the assembly 2 in ahelical manner around the rotary beam 7′. The length of each pipe 3 cannow essentially correspond to the length of each of the sides 9 makingup the beam 7′, so that the flexible hoses 4 enclose three of the ribs10 making up the beam 7′.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of part of an assembly 11 according to theinvention. The assembly 11 comprises two pipes 12 for a fluid, inparticular a liquid. The pipes 12 are positioned some distance apart butare connected to one another by a flexible hose 13. The hose 13 ispreferably made of rubber, in particular of EPDM. The advantages of thissynthetic rubber have already been described in detail above. Aninterior side of the hose 13 is stretched onto an external side of eachof the pipes 12 so that it grips. In order to improve the fixing of thehose 13 to the pipes, (conventional) hose clips 14 can be fitted ateither end of the hose 13. An adhesive can optionally additionally beapplied between the hose 13 and the pipes 12. It should be clear thatthe pipes 12 can swing with respect to one another, as a result of whichthe assembly can be positioned in an extended position ready for use anda folded-up transport position.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of part of another assembly 15 according to theinvention. The assembly 15 now comprises two pipes 16 that are fixed toone another by means of a mechanical joint 17. The joint 17 comprisestwo joint parts 18 that can swing with respect to one another andlocking means 19, joined to the joint parts 18, for locking the hinge 17in an operational use position. The pipes 16 are connected to the hinge17 by means of a screw joint 20 (shown in broken lines). The joint 17can be provided with a valve mechanism, which is not shown, to prevent afluid present in the pipes 16 leaking out. In addition, each joint part18 can be provided with a seal surrounding the pipes 16 in order tocounteract fluid leaks. It should be clear that the pipes 16 can swingwith respect to one another and thus can be configured in a use positionas shown or in a compact, folded-up transport position.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a system 21 for creating an ice rinkin accordance with the invention. The system comprises a housing 22 forseveral assemblies 23 of pipes 24 and coupling elements 25 allowingswinging coupled to one another. Water is contained in the housing 22(not shown). The assemblies 23 are kept a distance apart by a spacer 26.The construction and mode of operation of the assemblies 23 has alreadybeen discussed in more detail above. The pipes 24 preferably have alength of approximately 5 metres and an external diameter ofapproximately 19 millimetres. The distance between the pipes 24 isapproximately 5 centimetres. At one end the assemblies 23 are coupled toone another by several transverse connectors 27 and at the other end areconnected to two collectors 28. Glycol, which has been cooled toapproximately −12° C. by a cooling unit 30, can be fed through theassemblies 23 with the aid of a pump 29 connected to one collector 28,as a result of which water contained in the housing 22 and surroundingthe assemblies 23 will freeze with the formation of the ice rink.Preferably, the pipes 24 are positioned (some) distance away from thehousing 22, so that the water can completely surround the pipes 24 onall sides. The housing 22 has a medium-tight substructure 30 forcontaining the water and a raised border 31, screening the ice rink,joined to substructure 30. After use of the ice rink, the assemblies 23can be transformed easily and rapidly into a relatively compacttransport position, after which the folded-up unit of assemblies 23 canthen be transported. As a result of the use of the system 21 accordingto the invention, labour-intensive and time-consuming disassembly ofseparate components of the system is therefore no longer necessary.

1. Mobile heat exchanger, comprising: at least one assembly of at leasttwo generally rigid pipes for transport of a first medium, and acoupling element which interconnects the two pipes, and feed means anddischarge means connected to the assembly for feeding and discharging ofthe first medium, respectively, the first medium being adapted forheating or cooling of a second medium surrounding the assembly,characterised in that, the coupling element can pivot, the pipes beingconnected in such a way to the pivoting coupling element that the pipescan be hinged with respect to one another between an active operatingposition in which the assembly has a relatively extended configurationand a non-operative transport position wherein the assembly has arelatively compact configuration.
 2. Heat exchanger according to claim1, characterised in that, the coupling element is at least partly formedby a tubular body.
 3. Heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterisedin that the coupling element is at least partly elastic.
 4. Heatexchanger according to claim 3, characterised in that coupling elementis made of rubber, in particular ethylene propylene diene monomer(EPDM).
 5. Heat exchanger in accordance with claim 1, characterised inthat the pipes are connected at a distance from each other to thecoupling element.
 6. Heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterisedin that, the outer diameter of each pipe is smaller than half the mutualdistance between the pipes.
 7. Heat exchanger according to claim 1,characterised in that the coupling element is provided with at least onemechanical hinge.
 8. Heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterizedin that the assembly is provided with n pipes and a number of (n−1)coupling elements for mutual connection of the n pipes, n being largerthan two.
 9. Heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe heat exchanger is provided with a plurality of assemblies, theassemblies being oriented one with respect to the other, in asubstantially parallel manner.
 10. Heat exchanger according to claim 9,characterised in that the assemblies are maintained at a mutual distancevia at least one spacer attached to the assemblies.
 11. Heat exchangeraccording to claim 1, characterised in that the piping is made of metal,in particular aluminum.
 12. Heat exchanger according to claim 1,characterised in that the piping is coupled in an at least predominantlyfluid tight manner via the coupling element both in the operativeconfiguration as in the transport configuration.
 13. Assembly for use ina mobile heat exchanger according to claim
 1. 14. System for providing askating rink comprising a mobile heat exchanger according to claim 1,further comprising a cooling unit connected to the assembly for coolingthe first medium.
 15. System according to claim 14, characterized inthat the system also comprises a housing at least partly surrounding theassembly for containing water.
 16. System according to claim 14characterised in that, the first medium is formed by glycol.
 17. Systemaccording to claim 14, characterised in that the discharge means arecoupled to the feed means for recirculation of the first medium.